Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev Godfrey Onah, has appealed for calm following a protest and public disturbance by youths after a commercial tricycles operator and a Northern man had a disagreement which resulted into a fight at Barracks Junction, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
In a press statement in Nsukka on Saturday signed by Rev. Fr. Cajetan Iyidobi the Diocesan Secretary/Chancellor, the Bishop appealed for calm even as he urged all sides to be vigilant.
The statement which was captioned, “Nsukka Is Peaceful, Don’t Be Incited to Violence” partly reads;
“It has come to our notice that earlier in the day, a misunderstanding between a tricycle operator and a man believes to be a Northerner in the Barracks area of Nsukka resulted in the said Northener attacking the tricycle operator, wounding him seriously.
“This led to protest within the community as the attacked tricycle operator was believed to have died.
“These protests are said to have resulted in other persons being wounded.
“Verified information indicates, however, that the tricycle operator and the other wounded person are all alive and are reported to be responding to treatment,” he said.
The statement further stated, “our Father, Bishop Onah, therefore appeals that all the sides in this agitated situation to remain calm but vigilant.”
He equally appealed that people should avoid taking laws into their hands in other to prevent further degeneration of the already volatile situation, in the hope that law enforcement agents are handling the matter adequately,” he said.
Daily Sun gathered that the tricycles operator whose name was given as Kelechi had a disagreement with his passenger one Mrs Aisha Nneka on Igbo woman who is married to a Muslim man.
The disagreements degenerated into fight and Kelechi was allegedly stabbed by a Muslim man who came in defence of Aisha.
Our reporter further gathered that Kelechi was taken to Bishop Shanahan Hospital Nsukka where he is responding to treatment.
Youths who initially thought that Kelechi has died took to the street in a violent protest, but for the quick intervention of Local Government Chairmen in Enugu North Senatorial District the situation was calmed down.
As at the time of this report men of Nigeria Army are still patrolling the university town of Nsukka to make sure that law and order are maintained.
Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of Enugu State Police Public Relation Officer DSP Daniel Ndukwe proved abortive as calls and message made to his phone number was not answered or replied as at the time of this report.